7 Tips on How to Maintain a Tuxedo

7 Tips on How to Maintain a Tuxedo

Do you own a tuxedo? If so, you'll need to maintain it. While there are dozens of types of tuxedos, they all require regular maintenance. Maintaining your tuxedo will protect it from damage so that you're able to get more use out of it. You won't have to worry about your tuxedo degrading or otherwise succumbing to the hands of time. Rather, you'll be able to wear it for many years to come, all while taking advantage of its formal and stylish appearance. Below are seven tips on how to maintain a tuxedo.

#1) Identify the Fabric

Different tuxedos are made of different fabrics. To maintain your tuxedo, you'll need to identify the type of fabric from which it's made. Linen is a popular fabric used in the construction of tuxedos. Linen tuxedos are lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for the warmer months of the year.

Wool tuxedos, on the other hand, are typically worn during the warmer months of the year. They are heavier than their linen counterparts, so they'll trap more of your body heat when worn. Regardless, you'll need to identify the type of fabric or fabrics from which your tuxedo is made. Only then will you be able to properly maintain it.

#2) Brush After Wearing

It's a good idea to brush your tuxedo after wearing it. There are suit brushes available that are designed specifically for tuxedos and other types of men's suits. Using one of these brushes, you can quickly remove superficial dirt and dust from your tuxedo.

A suit brush consists of a small handheld brush with bristles. The bristles aren't particularly hard or stiff. Rather, they are soft and gentle. By brushing your tuxedo, you'll have an easier time keeping it clean. Brushing will remove dirt and dust so that it doesn't have an opportunity to embed itself into your tuxedo.

#3) Rub With a Dryer Sheet

You can eliminate static cling on your tuxedo by using a dryer sheet. Static cling, of course, is a phenomenon that causes two or more fabrics to stick to "cling" together. It usually occurs during the winter when the air is dry. The dry air allows electricity to flow through the air with minimal resistance. As a result, tuxedos are other garments are more likely to experience static cling during the winter.

Fortunately, you can stop static cling by rubbing a dryer sheet against your tuxedo. Dryer sheets contain chemicals that, among other things, neutralize static cling. With a dryer sheet in hand, rub it against the surface of your tuxedo jacket, trousers and waistcoat. There are other ways to eliminate static cling, but using a dryer sheet is arguably the easiest and most effective.

#4) Store on a Hanger

When you aren't wearing it, you should store your tuxedo on a hanger. Some men fold their tuxedos, believing it's just as effective as hanging them on a clothes hanger. The problem with folding is that it encourages wrinkles and creases to form. If you fold your tuxedo, it may develop stubborn wrinkles and creases. Fortunately, hanging your tuxedo on a hanger will prevent this from happening. A hanger will allow your tuxedo to drape naturally so that it retains its original shape and doesn't develop wrinkles or creases.

You can store your tuxedo jacket, trousers and waistcoat on a hanger. Keep in mind that some hangers are better for tuxedos than others. Choose a hanger that's made of solid wood instead of plastic. Plastic hangers are flimsy. While they are usually fine for t-shirts and other everyday garments, they are a poor choice for tuxedos. Tuxedos are heavier, so they require stronger and more durable hangers.

#5) Get It Dry Cleaned

Instead of washing your tuxedo, get it dry cleaned. Most tuxedos are dry clean only. Dry cleaning is a gentler way to clean a tuxedo because it doesn't use mechanical stress. If you wash your tuxedo in a washing machine, it will tumble around. This mechanical stress can degrade or even damage your tuxedo, which is why it's a good idea to dry clean your tuxedo.

Dry cleaning will still expose your tuxedo to liquids; it's simply called "dry cleaning" because it doesn't use water. When dry cleaned, your tuxedo will be exposed to cleaning chemicals that remove stains and bad odors. There's no better way to clean a tuxedo than by getting it dry cleaned.

#6) Use a Steamer

Even if you store it on a heavy-duty hanger made of solid wood, your tuxedo may develop wrinkles. There's no foolproof way to protect tuxedos, or other garments for that matter, from wrinkles. The good news is that you can de-wrinkle your tuxedo using a steamer.

Not to be confused with an iron, a steamer is a device that's designed to remove wrinkles from garments by exposing them to steam. Irons produce steam as well. The difference is that irons require direct contact with a garment, whereas steamers do not. You can de-wrinkle your tuxedo by hovering a steamer a few inches over the surface. In just a few minutes, the steamer will smooth out your tuxedo so that it's free of wrinkles.

#7) Get the Right Size

You'll have an easier time maintaining your tuxedo if it's the right size. Some men intentionally tuxedos that are slightly too big, believing they'll be able to "grow into them." Other men unknowingly choose tuxedos in an extra-large size. Regardless, if it's too big, you may struggle to keep your tuxedo clean.

Oversized trousers, for instance, may drag on the floor when worn. As the bottom of your tuxedo trousers drags on the floor, they'll gradually wear down. If your tuxedo trousers are the rights size, they won't drag on the floor.

For the right size, consider ordering your tuxedo from StudioSuits. We offer custom sizing on all suits, as well as tuxedos, at no additional charge. Your tuxedo trousers, jacket and waistcoat will fit perfectly if they are custom sized.